- Best Free Apps For Mac Mini Computer
- Best Free Apps For Mac Mini
- Best Free Apps For Mac Mini Os
- Macbook Air M1 Best Apps
- Best-picks; Best Mac Apps - Essential Apps for Your MacBook. Casey 07 October 2019. Buying a MacBook is like getting a ticket to a land of fantastic new software.
- 18 Best Free Apps for Mac Uncategorized Cezar Popescu June 3, 2019 October 7, 2020 When you buy your first Mac or MacBook you will be a bit overwhelmed by how different macOS is in comparison with other operating systems.
- Redirecting to https://www.makeuseof.com/pages/best-mac-apps/.
Let’s solve your to-dos
- The best M1-compatible Mac apps 2021: top picks for your new MacBook or Mac. At Microsoft US. It even lets you use an iPad as the main display for a Mac mini instead.
- Speaking of the best free mail app for Mac OS X, Airmail will a be must-have app for MacBook Pro/Air, iMac or mini. As the recommended mail app for Mac, Airmail delivers Mac users a quick, modern and easy-to-use experience to read and manage emails.
The Mac Store is full of all kinds of apps, from simple to complex. New apps are being published every day, making it hard to find the best - that’s where we come from. We have collected the best free apps for Mac in 2021, so you do not need to dig.
With life’s busy schedules and numerous distractions, staying on top of tasks can pose a challenge — that’s why every single productivity guide recommends you to keep track of everything in your mind with a to do list to achieve your goals.
News; Mac App Store downloads top 100 million. MORE than 100 million mini-programs tailored for Mac computers have been downloaded from the App Store since it opened earlier this year. Every new Mac already comes with a built-in Apple App Store, which is pinned to the Dock. That means, in just one click, you will have instant access to thousands of paid and free Mac apps and we know you are excited to visit the App Store. But, before you begin downloading apps, you have to know that Apple has just updated its security settings.
While, historically, to do lists were handled by pen and paper, with the rise of mobile technology and modern software, it’s far more efficient to use a specialized to do list app to stay on top of your tasks.
That said, the beauty of pen and paper lies in the ability to format, write, and manage however you see fit, whereas apps force you into their predefined frameworks. And exactly because to do lists can be so personal, it’s worth exploring the differences between them before picking one for good.
Download Setapp to get things done
From note-taking to scheduling events, Setapp has a huge collection of apps for all your jobs. Solve tasks faster than ever on Mac.
Why Should I Use A To Do List?
From tasks at work to chores at home, to catching up with friends and family, and everything in between, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with things to do. The trouble is finding the time to do them, prioritizing them accordingly, then actually remembering to carry them out. That’s where even simple to do lists can be a powerful productivity tool, freeing up your time and mental space to focus on what you do best.
However, there are now so many different to do list on Mac options in the marketplace that getting around to selecting one is a chore in itself. That’s why this guide just saves you some time by picking some of the best ones for you to consider.
What are some tips for using to do lists?
There’s an art to using to do lists effectively, no matter the technology. You don’t need to be a project manager or have high attention to details to make a Mac task manager work for you. Simply follow a few of the most important tips:
Understand what should be on the to do list versus what should be a daily habit or calendar item. Brushing your teeth probably shouldn’t be on the to do list, as it would ideally be baked into your daily routine. Whereas your friend’s birthday should probably be put in your calendar. However, you might write “purchase gift for friend’s birthday” as a to do item.
Try to keep a manageable level of to do items at any time. Having a list of 300 probably won’t do much for your productivity, as it becomes difficult to quickly ascertain the correct priority and order. Make sure your to do list stays below 15 items to not get overwhelmed.
Focus on completing one item at a time. Multi-tasking is never as productive of a method of executing a task as you might think. So when it’s time to action your to do list, focus your energy on the task at hand.
With these tips in hand, you’re ready to get out and find the technology that works best for you.
What should a good to do list app for Mac do?
When it comes to selecting a to do list on Mac, there are a few aspects to consider. Some of the apps aim for total simplicity, whereas others come packed with useful features for more advanced users. Here are a few things to look for in your next to do list app:
Simplicity is most important. Adding new tasks and organizing them should be done in just a few clicks or taps.
The ability to categorize your to do list in such a way that it’s easy to find similar tasks. This might be done by grouping, tags, due dates, and more.
A notification system for reminding you of upcoming or late tasks. These hold you accountable and are something pen and paper can’t beat.
Syncing of your data across devices and operating systems can be useful for those who like to work on the go
At a more personal level, your to do list should look and feel easy to use, as friction points in the user experience might prevent you from making the most of it
Top 100 Apps For Mac
Now that you know what a good to do list should be, let’s take a deeper dive into some of the best to do list apps for Mac on the market.
Comparing the best to do list apps for Mac
Honestly, there are too many to do list apps out in the world to count. To make your decision easier, many of those have been evaluated and narrowed down to just five — each with its own pros and cons that could sway your decision depending on your preferences.
As a Mac user, you’ve probably heard of Apple Reminders, which comes pre-installed in iPhones, iPads, and, of course, Macs. One of the main pros of using Apple Reminders is the fact that it’s ready to go — no additional tinkering required. It also has the benefit of looking and feeling like the rest of your Apple software, including Siri support, so it’s a familiar experience. Reminders works well with other Apple users by allowing you to share tasks in iCloud, but, unfortunately, you can’t assign tasks to people outside of that ecosystem, or to multiple people.
Key Features:
Smart location-based reminders which prompt depending on where you are
Task list sharing through iCloud
Simple, Apple-based interface that includes a quick calendar view
If you’re looking for the best task manager for Mac with more features, then you can’t pass Omnifocus. Made exclusively for Apple devices, Omnifocus takes everything one step further by allowing lists to be grouped into different projects, depending on the type of activity you’re doing, making it useful for work. Everything syncs, but only between Apple devices, of course. All in all, Omnifocus is definitely a strong candidate for any power user.
Key features:
Full-featured software designed exclusively for Apple
Multiple project types for any given workflow
Six handy views right out-of-the-box, including calendar, due date, projects, tags, and more
Another to do list on Mac that comes with a strong set of features is Wunderlist. Unlike Apple Reminders and Omnifocus, it can be used across all devices and operating systems, including Windows. While the app features a clean interface, it does have some complexity to it, so overall Wunderlist targets users who would like to collaborate on tasks together.
Key features:
Task reminders with notifications
Multiple assignees and collaborators on projects and tasks
Add hashtags to any descriptions to help search and organize task lists
If you care about speed and efficiency, you need 2Do — a perfect to do list app for people on the go. The quick-add feature makes creating new tasks a breeze, and you can even break your agenda up into a checklist format for subtasks.
A better version of Reminders
Get a top-notch app for busy folks. 2Do will help you organize any number of tasks into smart lists and break big jobs into subtasks.
While 2Do isn’t as full-featured as some of the alternatives, its upside is simplicity — essential for those who just need to get things done.
Key features:
Top 100 Mac Apps Free
Quick-add feature for maximum efficiency
Extra context for tasks via the tagging system
Smart lists let you view critical information at a glance, including due date, tags, and reminders — nothing more than what you need
One more of the best to do list apps is GoodTask. The beauty of GoodTask is its native ability to integrate with Apple Reminders and Apple Calendar, while adding some extra functionality on top to help you become more productive. The downsides are few and far between: for example, it doesn't have the extended functionality of something like Omnifocus.
Key features:
Automatic sync with your iCloud or Outlook calendar
Reminders (and repeat reminders) to help you stay on top of tasks
Smart sorting to organize your list by alphabet, due date, time created, or manually
With one of the best to do list on Mac options in hand, you’re ready to go out and become more productive than ever. Just remember to consider the difference between a task and a habit, keep your task list below 15, and pick an app that suits your preferences.
While you’re at it, give Be Focused a try. Be Focused is another task manager for Mac with a welcome twist — alongside the standard features, such as multi-device support and task list organization, Be Focused lets you set timers for each task. Now you can get to work knowing that you’re on track by the minute. Want to look further ahead? You can even breakdown your annual, quarterly, and monthly tasks into groups for a wider view of your life’s goals.
Best of all, 2Do, GoodTask, and Be Focused are available to you on a free 7-day trial via Setapp, a subscription service for Mac that grants you access to more than 150 indispensable apps across all categories imaginable. Now that’s a definite boost for your productivity!
Top 100 Mac Apps App
Meantime, prepare for all the awesome things you can do with Setapp.
Read onPolar flow app mac. Sign Up
Entertainment
At the mention of what your Macbook is used to do, entertainment accounts for a large proportion, no matter on watching videos/movies, listening to music, editing photograph etc. If there is an absence of the best Mac apps 2020 in entertainment, you will suffer from a obscure and upsetting journey even on your brand new Macbook.
MacX DVD Ripper
If you are ready to turn your DVD collection s into a digital library in iTunes, MacX DVD Ripper is no doubt the best Mac app in 2020 (macOS Big Sur also supported), as Handbrake has issues now that libdvdcss doesn't work with Sierra. It has dozens of great features, like 1:1 copying with original video quality, excellent protection bypass tools (including for region codes and Disney DRM), output DVD to iOS/Android, and batch conversion.
iMovie
With a streamlined design and intuitive editing features, iMovie lets you enjoy your videos and tell stories like never before. Browse your video library, share favorite moments, and create beautiful movies for iMovie 4K editing. Still, it can be treated as the best free app for iPhone iPad, allowing you to start editing movies on an iPhone or iPad, and finish them on a Mac. And when your movie is ready for its big premiere, you can enjoy it on all your devices in iMovie Theater.
MacX Video Converter
Video formats compatibility is always the top issue for video watching on Macbook Pro/Air, iMac etc. MacX Video Converter definitely keeps you away from this by converting 4K HD/SD videos to MP4, AVI, MPEG, FLV, MOV, WMV, MKV, MP3, etc for playback on QuickTime, iPhone, iPad, Android flawlessly and editing with iMovie and Final Cut Pro. Plus, as an essential Mac app (macOS Big Sur supported), it also stands out on downloading video from 1000+ online video sites, recording screen, editing video, etc.
Handbrake
If you're a video connoisseur, or if you're always finding that you have to convert your videos to make them playable (or streamable) to all of your devices, then you're going to want Handbrake on your macOS Sierra, pronto. This is one of the best OS X apps for video conversion and DVD ripping. It's detailed enough to give power users plenty of options to play with, but it's also simple enough in its core functionality that even newbies will be able to figure out how to convert a video with Handbrake. Best of all, it's free.
5KPlayer
5KPlayer is the rising media player app for Macbook in 2020, which plays videos/DVDs in high definition, downloads videos from YouTube or Dailymotion, and even sends them to your TV or big screen through AirPlay. It's much easier than other media players yet still quick and reliable in everything it does. In short, the best free app for macOS is perfect for those who just want to play videos without complications.
VLC
VLC media player is better than Quicktime in nearly every facet that matters, most notably speed and file compatibility. It is a free and open source cross-platform multimedia player and framework that plays most multimedia files as well as DVDs, Audio CDs, VCDs, and various streaming protocols. Here stating as the best free application on macOS, it's also widely regarded as the first DVD player on Macbook Pro/Air, supporting playback of encrypted DVDs (region code, CSS) by using the libdvdcss DVD decryption library.
Spotify
Apple Music isn't for everyone. With Spotify, it's easy to find the right music for every moment on your phone, your computer, your tablet and more. There are millions of tracks on Spotify. So whether you're working out, partying or relaxing, the right music is always at your fingertips. Choose what you want to listen to, or let the free music download app surprise you. You can also browse through the music collections of friends, artists and celebrities, or create a radio station and just sit back.
Photoshop
Photoshop is one of the most comprehensive photo editing apps on Mac now brings you even more creative possibilities. It has professional-quality tools, like advanced color manipulation and 32-bit/64-bit channel editing. It also has dozens of useful features, like multiple editable layers, vector graphics tools, advanced image processing, and retouching and correction masking tools for 2017 MacBook Pro, Air, iMac users to explore and use.
After putting us in the dark for a few months, Apple has finally launched the first few Silicon-based MacBook laptops and the Mac Mini. Apple Silicon, a name due to the custom material that Apple is using to build these chips, is expected to change the entire Mac lineup from Apple, offering enhanced performance, better power savings, and many other features.
This brand-new chip from Apple will change the way Mac devices compete with other laptops and desktops in the market, taking the best advantage of the leap that the Silicon Valley company is proud of. However, a transition like this is not just about enhanced performance and speed. For Apple, the M1 chip indicates the beginning of creating a rich ecosystem — through universal apps and beyond.
Before we talk about universal apps for Apple Silicon Macs and how they make our lives better, we’d have a brief introduction to Apple M1.
Quick Jump to…
What’s the Apple M1 chip?
As per the technical definition, Apple M1 is an ARM-based SoC (System on a Chip) that has been completely designed by Apple Inc. This chip belongs to the Apple Silicon lineup of SoCs that Apple claims to launch as a part of its shift from previous methods.
Previously, Apple used CPUs and GPUs from Intel and AMD to power its MacBook, Mac Mini, iMac, and Mac Pro devices. However, in June 2020, Apple announced its transition from intel to Apple Silicon, promising a custom-made chip by the end of the year: Apple M1.
Best Free Apps For Mac Mini Computer
As a chip that powers an entire Mac device, the Apple M1 translates to many incredible things. Some of such features are:
- Apple has designed the M1 to be even more compact while increasing the performance per watt. It is a breakthrough figure when compared to what the Intel Macs are offering.
- The M1 combines multiple chips like processor, I/O, security, and memory into a single chip. Intel-based Macs had needed separate chips for all these needs. It has 16 billion transistors, just saying!
- Unified Memory Architecture, known as UMA, allows Apple M1 to share memory resources across a Mac. This translates to incredible speeds when it comes to video and image processing.
- The M1 chip also claims to give up to 3.5x CPU performance, and it Apple’s highest-performance CPU at this point. This massive processing power and optimization brings the best Mac experience.
- Capable of up to 11 trillion operations per second, M1 is the best space for machine learning. Apple says that the latest Neural Engine can offer up to 15x faster machine learning performance.
- Apple M1 also comes with an 8-core GPU inside, which can handle up to 25,000 concurrent threads at a time. This translates to up to 2x faster GPU performance without needing anything discrete.
- Because Apple has optimized every single aspect of the chip, it can offer record-breaking battery life. For instance, the 13-inch MacBook Pro runs for up to 20 hours on a single charge!
Along with all these fantastic features, we have the power of macOS Big Sur and Universal Apps.
More importantly, though, the M1 chip marks the beginning of a 2-year transition. Although Apple offers its support for Intel-based Mac devices, it won’t be the case after a few years. That is, the company is all set to abandon Intel chips.
By doing so, Apple can gain better control over how its devices perform in real life.
The Big Sur prize
We can’t talk about Apple M1 without talking about macOS Big Sur. In case you didn’t know, macOS Big Sur is the latest macOS release from Apple.
According to Apple, it has designed macOS Big Sur to assist the organization, developers, and users with the transition to Apple Silicon. This particular release comes with several features that will create an ecosystem that is powered by universal apps and easy development, among other things.
Even when we keep these core ideas aside, macOS Big Sur marks a noticeable change in the way how macOS has looked and felt. The visual overhaul itself is an impressive reason you should check it out, and you can see how Apple is trying to create a unified platform with compatible UI and app elements.
As for those devices powered by Apple M1, Big Sur has been designed to take the best advantage of the chip inside. For instance, Apple has brought in features like Instant Wake, quicker app launches, snappier system animation, and the power of Metal.
Best Free Apps For Mac Mini
[ Related: macOS 11 Big Sur: How Fast Is It? ]
As always, Apple has pushed its security game with the M1 chip. Now that a single SoC manages everything regarding the computer, you can get additional features like hardware-verified secure boot and encryption for all files. That these security measures are built into the core architecture makes them superb.
You can check our coverage of macOS Big Sur if you want to know more about the OS release, though. Here are also top 30 free apps can uplift your macOS Big Sur experience in one way or another.
For the time being, let’s look at how macOS Big Sur makes a difference to the transition.
How the M1 Chip integrates with macOS
As we said, macOS Big Sur packs many features that help users get the best out of the Apple M1 chips. Even then, two core changes define how the transition that we talked about would take place.
#1 Universal Apps
Universal apps are applications that can run natively on both Intel-based and Silicon-based Macs. It means these apps would be run on M1-powered Macs as smoothly as they run on Intel-powered Macs. Now that a lot of developers are launching the Universal App versions of their apps, the transition would become more comfortable than ever.
To understand the importance of universal apps, you should understand that M1 and Intel chips use different architectures. The M1 chip belongs to the ARM architecture, while Intel has been following x86 architecture. However, with the launch of Big Sur, a developer can create an app that would work seamlessly on any of these architectures.
A universal app for macOS can take the best leverage of the M1 chip when it runs on an Apple Silicon-based Mac. If you have an Intel-based Mac, don’t worry; it will work just as fine. From the developers’ perspective, this step can lower the burden to a great extent. Because Apple has built everything into the latest version of Xcode, converting an app into a Universal App is an easier task.
This is the crux. If you have an Intel-based Mac, you got nothing to worry about. You will get all those great apps on your device as you used to. However, even when you upgrade to an M1-based Mac — which you’ll have to sooner or later —, you can use the same apps, with better performance and speed. For instance, the Neural Engine on the M1 can make remarkable changes in how you handle high-resolution media.
Long story short, universal apps are what enable the smoothest transition. It helps the developers create apps that serve the customers right when they are on Silicon or Intel-based Macs.
#2 Rosetta II
While Universal Apps take care of the compatibility aspect on the way forward, Rosetta II does something a lot more incredible. Rosetta II is an exclusive emulator that allows Apple Silicon-based Macs to run apps that were initially designed for Intel-based Macs.
Rosetta II is why those who bought the latest M1-powered Macs don’t have to wait for developers to launch native apps for Apple Silicon. Instead of doing that, they can download and install the Intel version of the same apps, giving the same performance Macs have provided in the past.
This is how Rosetta II works with M1-powered MacBooks and the Mac Mini. The Rosetta II emulator would understand the instructions that an old program provides to an Intel-based Mac. The emulator will then translate the same instructions to a language that the M1 chip can understand. As a user, you may not see the name on macOS. Everything it does is done in the background.
There are some crucial differences, though. For instance, Rosetta II will not bring you the super-fast speed or performance you’d get from Silicon native apps. Apple says that some made-for-Intel apps can run faster on an M1-based Mac. However, in general, a universal app or a native M1-based app would outperform an Intel-based app that runs via Rosetta II.
Long story short, Rosetta II isn’t about bringing the best speed. It’s to ensure that you can have a superb macOS experience with M1 without waiting for developers’ convenience.
This is how the M1 chip integrates with the macOS Big Sur release so that users can shift to an M1-based Mac without any hassle.
How will universal apps benefit users?
Here are some ways universal apps can benefit Mac users.
- Multitasking becomes easier than ever with the help of universal apps. Did you know that you will be able to run iOS apps on your Mac without any trouble? You can install these apps, and they do run in a window. More importantly, users will be able to achieve an impressive experience.
- Universal apps make it tension-free to upgrade from an Intel-based Mac to an M1-based Mac. In my case, when I move away from my 2019 MacBook Pro sometime later, I need not worry about any kind of compatibility issues.
Now that you know the benefits of universal apps, shall we check out the top universal apps for Silicon Macs that you can download today?
Top universal apps for Apple silicon Macs
#1 Apple Apps
Best Free Apps For Mac Mini Os
As you can probably guess, Apple has updated all its app to become universal. That is, your popular apps like Safari, Keynote, Numbers, etc. have been redesigned to take the best advantage of Apple M1 Macs. More importantly, professional apps like Final Cut and Logic Pro have received updates.
Apple says that the Final Cut Pro universal app can now use the Neural Engine and advanced options for easy video transcoding. Likewise, Logic Pro X has brought enhanced performance into the package. If you’ve an M1-based app, you can also expect better performance from apps like GarageBand.
#2 Da Vinci Resolve
Da Vinci Resolve, the industry-grade film editor, is also prepared for the era of M1 Mac devices. The latest version of the suite, 17.1, has been designed to take the best advantage of the Apple Silicon while running equally smoothly on Intel-based Macs.
The developers say that the new Da Vinci Resolve will be able to bring the best results through a combination of CPU and GPU processing. The Neural Engine also helps the software to handle video exports and color-correction tasks with better efficiency.
#3 Pixelmator Pro
The latest version of Pixelmator Pro, one of the most popular photo editors for Mac, is a universal app that can run on M1 Macs and Intel-based Macs. In addition to the broad support, developers behind the app have also optimized the app for enhanced performance.
Built using Swift, this app can also make the best use of the new Neural Engine and ML features if you have an M1 MacBook Air, Pro, or Mac Mini. You can download the latest version of Pixelmator Pro from the App Store or the official website now.
#4 Darkroom
Darkroom, a popular photo editing app among iOS users, was one of the first to get into the universal apps bandwagon. When the developers decided to bring the app to macOS, they also brought in support for M1 Macs with it. If they have Big Sur installed, Intel Macs can also run this app.
Unlike the iOS version of the app, Darkroom for Mac has been optimized for enhanced performance as well as an improved User Interface. The entire design language goes in sync with the Big Sur design, and there is even an option to get a premium version of the app via the App Store.
#5 Ulysses
Ulysses has been regarded as one of the best writing apps available for Mac and iOS. Taking one of the first leaps, Ulysses has also made its universal app available on the Mac App Store. This means you can enjoy a smooth performance on both devices.
In addition to the support for M1-based Macs, Ulysses has included several features, especially a new, improved Revision Mode. This mode allows you to make comments and suggestions that make editing tasks feel like a breeze.
#6 Fantastical
Fantastical is another awesome app that is available as a universal app for M1 and Intel-based Macs. If you’re looking for a calendar app better than the built-in calendar, Fantastical is an excellent option. It comes with an improved design as well.
According to an official tweet from the developer, the latest version comes with advanced support for macOS Big Sur as well. For instance, you can avail of new widgets, Microsoft Teams support and weather alerts. You can expect these features in the iOS and iPadOS versions as well.
#7 Sparkle
Another popular app among professionals, Sparkle is one of the first apps to go Universal on M1 Macs. The version you download from the official website will now work fine with Intel and M1-based Mac devices. It should have improved performance while rendering code and exporting files.
Sparkle is an awesome app that redefines how you create great websites across multiple platforms. This site builder works close with your code to ensure the best security and privacy. There are options to add various elements like eCommerce purchases and SEO support.
#8 Nova
Macbook Air M1 Best Apps
Nova is an excellent code editing app available for Mac and it has released a universal app as well. So, if you have an M1 Mac with you, you won’t have trouble in getting the best performance while editing/compiling a variety of codes.
[ Related: Top Online Platforms to Learn Programming Languages ]
In addition to the powerful design and customizability, you can take advantage of its themeable interface as well as flexible workflows. You can, in addition to customizing the basic settings, install extensions for extra features.
#9 Alfred
The trusty Spotlight alternative Alfred is also ready for the big transition to Apple Silicon. However, the app does not have an official universal app yet. Instead, if you have an M1-enabled MacBook or Mac Mini, you’d have an option to download the universal version.
#10 1Password
We have recommended 1Password as one of the best free password manager for Mac. Just like Alfred, it is now running an M1-optimized version alongside. There is now an option to download the Silicon version if you have a compatible Mac.
1Password offers incredible password management features that we see only in premium options. It allows you to store as many passwords as you like and access them from a multitude of devices. In the end, you can get peace of mind.
More to come…
Here are some more apps that recently received updates with Apple Silicon support. Several apps have also received compatibility updates for Apple’s latest operating system, macOS Big Sur. There will be more universal apps that run natively on Apple Silicon in the coming days.
PDFpenPro / Slack / BetterTouchTool / Cinema 4D / Downie 4 / HazeOver / iStat Menus / Keyboard Maestro / ScreenFloat / CleanMyMac X / Parallels
We just want to remind you that the transition to M1 Macs is in its early stages. Only a few developers have shown the final builds, but more is to come. In the event itself, Apple had mentioned that apps from high-end developers like Microsoft and Adobe would have universal support in the coming months. Therefore, if you were quick enough to grab an M1 Mac, stay tuned.
Further reading…
The Best Mac System Monitor to Check Mac’s Performance
macOS 11 Big Sur: How Fast Is It?
The Best Mac Cleaner (and Why You Need One)
Our Favorite Productivity Apps for Working from Home
Amazing Automation Apps Every Mac User Will Love
Best Duplicate File Finders and Removers for Mac: Affordable, Fast and Easy to Use